[The effect of medications on the risk of falling in elderly patients]

In advanced age, the tendency to fall increases, as does the severity of the over, falls cause substantial costs to the health and welfare systems. Among elderly people, most falls result from the concurrence of several risk factors and a trigger. Taking medication can significantly influence the tendency to fall. Adverse drug reactions such as hypotension or the inhibition of motor or cognitive skills are often the cause of falling. In each case it must be determined whether the use of a medication is solely an indicator of a functional disorder or acts as an independent risk factor for falling. Pharmacists can help reduce the risk of falling by advising elderly patients on a medication's side effects and its interaction with other medications as well as on additional risk factors.